Somewhere in Iowa, a pig is being raised in a confined pen, packed in so tightly with other swine that their curly tails have been chopped off so they won't bite one another. To prevent him from getting sick in such close quarters, he is dosed with antib

Thursday August 27, 2009, 7:49 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you Suzybell. This is a well-written and comprehensive article. Well worth the read. If consumers would aspire become more conscious of every bite of food they take in and consider the reality of how it got to their plates, it could well translate into a leaner and healthier population and a far better environment for everyone.

Thursday August 27, 2009, 11:28 am
Thank you Suzybell -- pretty much my thoughts -- wonder why the consuming public just not seem to be able to, or should I say want to grasp this, what seems to be a "fairly simple" concept!!! Could it be the Arsenic fed food, Or maybe it is the feces fed food that has fried the brains of those who once had the potential to Grasp the concept! My guess is, it is simply greed on the part of consumers who "Desire" for ipods, HD tvs, DVDs, $200.00 runner boots, beer and movies -- if you spend that extra $ on food it cuts into your "sin money" -- Tells you where I think Society is at!!!!

Thursday August 27, 2009, 11:34 am
Just for fun Suzy -- will make you a small wager that this story will not get the 50+ comments that it would if is was about animal abuse. Just cannot, for the life of me, understand why people are so unwilling, or unable to see this treatment of farm animals as abuse!

Thursday August 27, 2009, 2:51 pm
Mr Boss--For your info my father was a Farmer and he loved all his animals.When one had to be put down or sold it nearly killed him.He had dairy cows.I never liked milk.Now I use almond milk and find it very good. My father was a good and kind man,a man of the earth,studied botany,he so loved nature.The cows were our pets even though they were dairy cows.

Friday August 28, 2009, 8:45 am
Time to picket and boycott shops and resturants that buy these animal products, they should be forced into verifying where these meat sources come from.. so we can have a choice

Saturday August 29, 2009, 3:44 pm
i saw this in the magazine and was hoping somebody here would post it. thank you suzybell. maybe people will finally wake up since time reaches the masses,as opposed to liberal websites.

Sunday August 30, 2009, 3:44 am
Thanks Suzybell. I'm sorry I did not see this sooner, and it is a very interesting and thought-provoking article. consumers are the ones who must bring on the change; but for the financially strained it is assuredly not easy... I liked this part a lot:
"Work in a CAFO is monotonous and soul-killing, while too many ordinary farmers struggle to make ends meet even as the rest of us pay less for food. Farmers aren't the enemy — and they deserve real help. We've transformed the essential human profession — growing food — into an industry like any other. "We're hurting for job creation, and industrial food has pushed people off the farm," says Hahn Niman. "We need to make farming real employment, because if you do it right, it's enjoyable work."

Will you help me out? I cannot grasp where you are going with your statement quoted below. I have studied it, would like to respond, BUT not sure what you mean, Or is it a question?

Just so you know, my statements made above were referring to the treatment of farm animals in CAFOs (Industrial farms)of today, as was the posted story, Not sure how your dad farmed, But it seems to me that it most likely was not a factory farm. Not sure how old you are, or to when you are reffering, BUT I can tell you that a WHOLE BIG BUNCH has changed in the last 40 years.

Help me out.

cowboss

"Mr Boss--For your info my father was a Farmer and he loved all his animals. When one had to be ...."

Your words --- "People make money out of domestic farm animals, and hence more easily accept this kind of cruelty as a necessary part of business life ......"

Oh, I understand this ALL TO well, I am surrounded by Factory farmers who "accept this kind of cruelty as a necessary part of business life ..." What I DO NOT understand is why Society, of which the overwhelming majority are consumers of Industrial Farmering accept the needlessly abusive treatment of these farm animals for the sake of CHEAP FOOD. What I am saying is Quit Blaming The Farmers as this is a Societal Problem, WHEN AND/OR IF Society demands better treatment of farm animals, and is willing to pay the higher cost of ethical treatment and heathy clean food IT WILL HAPPEN and not until then!!!

Sunday August 30, 2009, 8:44 pm
Yes,I understand your point Bosscow and I can tell you the big Factory Farms hurt the little guy that is why you do not find them anymore. My Father had a working farm where we all pitched in gather the eggs,get the cows in now the sheep we had a wonderful Dog,so gentle and would protect us all,even when he could barely walk at 16 he still tried to heard the sheep yes and the cows. Yes,I have eaten cow feed it really tastes good as I remember. Helped in the hayfield. The works.I do agree with you about FACTORY FARMS. Dad had 280 acres or so plenty of room for the animals and then some. Thanks.